Loom stop counter



She et of 2 April 8, 1969 L. UPSHUR ETAL LOOM STOP COUNTER Filed Feb.10, 1967 m $3 fi.||l|:.i|:.|||:| 1 l I I I l MN y n x, r E \w I \ANNEWMW. III MMAL N Q\ mm. u .N\

$40M ATTORNEYS April 8, 19 69 L. UPSHU R ETAL r 3, 3

' LOOM STOP COUNTER Filed Feb. 10. 1967 i Sheet 3 l r .11 A

v I INVENTOR6 Z/f/Zf/ZN Wax/0e ATTORNEYS United States Patent Int. Cl.G066 29/00 US. Cl. 235-92 11 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Thisinvention relates to circuitry for counting the number of times which aloom stops. In particular, the circuitry provides three counts whichrespectively correspond to warp, filling and mechanical stops. The threecounters are actuated from a single charged capacitor. When the warpstop motion is actuated, the warp stop counter is not energized until anappropriate delay occurs to ensure that false counts are not registeredwhenever the warp stop motion is only momentarily actuated, which isoften the case. Further, the invention employs an improved switch foractuating the filling stop counter whenever a filling stop is sensed.This switch comprises a metal-sheathed magnetic reedswitch inserted intoan aluminum block, mounted, for example, on the loom structure. Thisswitch is actuated, whenever a filling stop is sensed, by the movementof a magnetic member to a position adjacent the switch to close thecontacts thereof. Hence, accidental closure of this switch duringmaintenance of the loom is prevented. The mechanical stop countersection is so interrelated with the other two sections that whenever aloom stop occurs that is due neither to warp or filling stop motions,the mechanical stop counter is actuated.

This invention relates to an improved circuitry for counting loom stops;and, in particular, classifying such stops in terms of whether the stopis caused by warp, filling, or mechanical problems. This invention alsorelates to improved switching means for actuating a filling stop counterwhenever a filling stop motion is sensed.

Numerous attempts have been made in the past to devise counters toregister loom stops. The counters have failed to operate accurately overextended periods of time for a number of reasons. One of the most commonweaknesses of these devices has been in the sensor to signal fillingstops. Generally, such sensors have been snap-action switches, whichmust be positioned precisely in order to be closed by the movement of anappropriate loom part whenever a filling stop occurs. Such switches arereadily susceptible to being displaced an amount sufficient to preventclosure. Commonly a few thousandths of an inch displacement (because ofbeing bumped accidentally during maintenance of the loom) is sufficient.Further, they have been frequently placed so that the contacts aredepressed by persons moving about the loom thereby causing theregistration of false counts.

Thus it is a primary object of this invention to provide improvedswitching means for signalling a filling stop, the alignment of saidswitching means not being susceptible to displacement. Further, it is anobject of this invention to provide such a switching means which is notsubject to accidental actuation.

Many looms employ an electrical warp stop motion, in which a strip ofmetal, known as a drop wire, is suspended from each warp thread. When awarp thread breaks, the drop wire closes an electrical circuit toground, actuating the loom stopping mechanism. This electrical signalhas been used to actuate warp stop counters. However, during the normaloperation of a loom, some of the drop wires make momentary contact withthe electrodes. The duration of these contacts is too brief to actuatethe loom stop motion, but may actuate a fast acting counter.

It is a further primary object of this invention to provide improvedcircuitry for counting the number of loom stops and for classifying suchstops in accordance with whether the stop was caused by a warp, filling,or mechanical problem. It is a further object of this invention toprovide such counting circuitry where the warp stop motion section ofthe counter includes circuitry to prevent the actuation of the counteruntil a reasonable amount of time has elapsed, thereby preventing pulseactuation of the warp stop counter due to momentary contact of the dropwire with an electrode during normal operation of the loom.

Since the counter mechanism of this invention employs three differentcounters respectively corresponding to the warp, filling, and mechanicalproblems, means are provided for preventing the registration of morethan one count for a given loom stop. Thus it is a further primaryobject of this invention to provide an improved counter for countingloom stops and for classifying the various causes thereof, the counterincluding means ensuring that only one count is registered for a givenloom stop.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be come apparentupon reading the appended claims in conjunction with the followingdetailed description and the attached drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a circuit diagram of an illustrative embodiment of theinvention;

FIGURE 2 is a pictorial representation of an illustrative embodiment ofswitching means for signalling filling stops; and

FIGURE 3 is an end view of the switching means shown in FIGURE 2.

Referring to FIGURE 1, there is shown a circuit diagram of anillustrative embodiment of the invention. The counter circuitry of thisinvention comprises four sections, a capacitor section 10, a Warp stopcounter actuator section 12, a filling stop actuator section 14, and amechanical stop actuator section 16. As can be seen'in FIGURE 1, each ofthese sections is enclosed in dotted lines. The actuator circuits 12, 14and 16 are respectively associated with warp stop counter 13, fillingstop counter 15, and mechanical stop counter 17, where each of thecounters is indicated by an appropriate coil. Counters 13, 15 and 17 arepreferably conventional nonreset or manual reset electrically-actuatedcounters of 12 volts DC rating. They may be mounted in a remotelylocated panel or directly on the loom, in which case they are preferablyshock mounted.

The counter circuitry is energized from a transformer 18, which istypically the standard low voltage transformer employed on a loom, whichusually has a 12 volt secondary winding which supplies low voltagecurrent for the warp stop motion and other circuits.

In the capacitor section 10, capacitor 20 stores a charge sufficient tooperate the counters 13, 15, and 17. When the loom is started, capacitor20 charges through diode 22 and resistor 24. The resistance of resistor24 is chosen so that a period of several seconds is required to chargecapacitor 20 to a value sufficient to actuate one of the counters. Thisdelay is provided so that a count will not be registered if the loomstops immediately after being started. Resistor 26 performs a functionin the operation of the mechanical stop section as describedhereinafter, but is located in the capacitor section 10 for conveniencein wiring.

Switch 28, usually a mercury switch, is typically attached to theshipper lever or other appropriate parts in such a way that it is closedwhen the loom is running and open when the loom stops. The function ofthis switch is to remove power from the loom control circuits wheneverthe loom has stopped. This switch occurs during the actual stopping ofthe loom after a warp or filling stop motion has operated to initiatethe stopping.

If the loom stop is due to the warp stop motion, the following circuitryis employed to actuate the warp stop counter. Solenoid is the knock-offsolenoid which causes the loom to stop. This solenoid is energized bycontact of the drop Wires, represented by switch 32, in the event of endbreakage. The warp stop section 12 includes a silicon controlledrectifier (SCR) 34 and associated circuitry, generally indicated at 38,to trigger the operation thereof. The trigger circuitry 38 is connectedto the junction 36 of the drop wires 32 and the knock-off solenoid 30.As long as the drop wires do not make contact, junction 36 is at thesame potential as the cathode of SCR 34 and thus no current flowsthrough the trigger circuit 38. Whenever the drop wires make contact,the junction 36 is raised to the transformer voltage above the cathodeof SCR 34. Current then flows to the trigger circuit 28 which includesdiode 40, resistor 42, capacitor 44, resistor 46, four-layer diode 48,and current limiting resistor 50. Thus, current flows through diode 40and resistor 42 and initiates charging of capacitor 44. A fourlayerdiode 48 blocks the flow of current through the trigger circuit 38 untilcapacitor 44 has charged to a voltage equal to the breakdown ofthreshold voltage of diode 48. When this breakdown voltage is reached,diode 48 goes into a high conductance state and discharges capacitor 44through SCR 34, turning the SCR on. With SCR 34 conducting, a circuit iscompleted between ca pacitor 20 and counter 13, thereby dischargingcapacitor 20 through the counter and causing the counter to register onecount.

As can be seen, the trigger circuitry 38 for SCR 34 provides a timedelay between the first contact of the drop wires 32 and the triggeringof the SCR 34, this time delay corresponding to the amount of timerequired for capacitor 44 to charge through resistor 42 to the breakdownvoltage of four-layer diode 48. This delay is necessary since, duringthe normal operation of a loom, the drop wires remain in substantialmovement and occasionally make momentary contact. The duration of suchaccidental contacts is too brief to cause the knock-off solenoid 30 topull in and stop the loom but it is sufficiently long to trigger an SCRinto conduction in the absence of a time delay circuit. An appropriatetime delay through the trigger circuitry 38 is 0.1 second. Typically,the breakdown voltage of four-layer diode 48 is approximately 10 volts.

Resistor 46 acts as a bleeder resistor to ensure complete discharge ofcapacitor 44 and prevent the cumulative build up of charge on capacitor44 due to a large number of accidental momentary contacts of the dropwires with the electrodes. Resistor 50 acts to limit the current to SCR34.

Whenever the loom stop results from a filling stop, the following meansare instrumental in implementing the registration of filling stopcounter 15. First, refer to FIG- URES 2 and 3 where there arerespectively shown, front and end views of switching means forsignalling the filling stop indication to counter 15. A metal-sheathedmagnetic reed switch 52 is inserted into a hole in aluminum block 54.Block 54 is fastened to an appropriate stationary part of the fillingstop mechanism or adjacent loom structure 56. A magnetic member 58 isattached to a movable member 60 of the filling stop motion. The fillingstop motion is available in many well known embodiments and it is notnecessary to disclose the details thereof. In the normal actuation ofthe filling stop mechanism, the movable member 60 moves to the positionshown as 62, thereby moving the attached magnetic member 58 to position64, which is adjacent or in close proximity to reed switch 52. Thus theswitch 52 closes. The appropriate positions for the block 54 and themagnetic member 58 are different for different makes and models oflooms, but these positions will be obvious to those who are familiarwith the operating mechanisms of looms. Further, filling stop mechanismsalways include a member which corresponds to movable member 60. Thus, itwould be obvious to those of ordinary skill in this art to appropriatelyprovide for the physical location of the members 52, 54, 58 and 60 withrespect to one another. The important feature of this aspect of theinvention is the use of the magnetic reed switch 52, disposed in block54. The block 54 and the magnetic member 58 are readily mounted on theloom in such a manner that they are not susceptible of being knocked outof alignment. Further, switch 52 is not subject to accidental actuationsince only the magnet '58 can cause it to close.

Referring to FIGURE 1, switch 52 is shown connected to the gate terminalof SCR 66 which is disposed in the actuator section 14 for filling stopcounter 15, the connection being made through diode 68 and resistor 70.Whenever switch 52 closes because of a filling stop, current flowsthrough diode 68 and resistor 70 to the gate terminal of SCR 66, turningit on. This permits capacitor 20 to discharge through counter 15,registering one count.

Whenever the loom stop is caused by a mechanical stop, the followingcircuitry is implemented to actuate counter 17. A mechanical stop is bydefinition a loom stop which is initiated neither by the warp stopmotion nor the filling stop motion. As stated hereinbefo-re, switch 28is closed when the loom is running and opens when the loom stops. Aslong as switch 28 is closed, the base of transistor 72 is at the emitterpotential and the transistor is cut off. When switch 28 is opened, thepotential of the base of transistor 72 is effectively raised throughdiode 74 above the emitter potential, thereby forward biasing the baseemitter junction thereof and turning it fully on. With transistor 72turned on, current flows through the gate terminal of SCR 76, turning iton, the current flow through transistor 72 occurring through resistor78, resistor and diode 82. If capacitor 20 at this time is charged, itdischarges through counter 17, registering one count,

If, however, the stopping of the loom has been initiated by either thedrop wires of the warp stop motion or the filling stop mechanism,capacitor 20 will have already been discharged through counter 13 orcounter 15, registering a warp stop or a filling stop, as the case maybe. In such a case, when switch 28 opens as the loom stops, and SCR 76is triggered, there is no charge on capacitor 20 and no count can beregistered on counter 17. Hence, counter 17 will therefor register onlythose stops which are not initiated by either the warp or filling stopmotions. As stated hereinbefore, these are by definition mechanicalstops.

A preferred form of the electronic circuitry is an encapsulated modularform, wherein the capacitor section and each of the actuator sections isconstructed as a separate module which is embedded in a conventionalencapsulation material such as epoxy resin. In this form the circuitsare protected from vibration and environmental influences. An advantageof the modular arrangement is that in case of electrical failure, adefective module can be removed and replaced easily by any electrician.The encapsulation makes impossible any type of repair; however, the costof repair where the component is accessible Would exceed in most casesthe cost of a new module. Another advantage is that, if it is notdesired to count all three classes of stops, only those modules whichare required need be installed. Additionally, if only one of two classesof stops are initially counted, and it is desired at a later date to addthe remaining ones, only the additional modules and counters need beadded, without any change to the existing circuitry.

Still numerous other modifications of the invention will become apparentto one of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoingdisclosure. During such a reading, it will be evident that thisinvention has provided unique counting circuitry for accomplishing theobjects and advantages herein stated. Still other objects andadvantages, and even further modifications will be apparent from thisdisclosure. It is to be understood, however, that the foregoingdisclosure is to be considered exemplary and not limitative, the scopeof the invention being defined by the following claims:

What is claimed is: 1. Loom stop counting circuitry for providing aplurality of counts respectively corresponding to a plurality of loomstop causes, said loom stop counting circuitry comprising:

a plurality of counter means each comprised of at least a singlecounter, for respectively registering the counts of said plurality ofloom stop causes;

capacitive means connected to said plurality of counter means;

a plurality of counter actuating means each respectively associated withone of said plurality of counter means, each of said actuating meansrespectively responsive to one of said plurality of loom stop causes forconnecting its associated counter means to said capacitive means so thatupon the occurrence of a loom stop for a given cause, the saidcapacitive means will discharge through the counter means correspondingto said given cause registering one count, the registration of a countat all other counter means being prevented due to said discharge of saidcapacitive means; and

means for charging said capacitive means.

2. Loom stop counting circuitry as in claim 1, where said loom stopcauses include warp stops, filling stops, and mechanical stops, andwhere said plurality of counters includes three counters respectivelycorresponding to said warp, filling, and mechanical stops.

3. A loom stop counting circuitry, as in claim 2 including means fordelaying the connection of the capacitive means to said warp stopcounter for a predetermined interval of time thereby preventing falseactuation of the warp stop counter.

4. Loom stop counting circuitry, as in claim 2, Where the actuatingmeans associated with said filling stop counter includes (1) electricalswitching contacts responsive to the presence of a magnetic field forthe actuation thereof and (2) movable means for producing a magneticfield, said movable means being positioned adjacent said contacts inresponse to the detection of a filling stop to close said contacts andcause said capacitive means to discharge through said filling stopcounter and cause one count to be registered.

5. Loom stop counting circuitry, as in claim 4, in cluding a solidmember having a hole therein for receiving said switching contacts,thereby preventing the accidental closure of said reed switch.

6. Loom stop counting circuitry, as in claim 2, where said mechanicalstops include all stops due neither to warp stops nor filling stops,said loom including means for initiating the actuating means associatedwith said mechanical stop counter whenever said loom stops, theactuation of said mechanical stop counter occurring after the initiationof either a Warp or filling stop.

7. Loom stop counting circuit as in claim 6 where said means forcharging said capacitive means prevents said capacitive means from beingcharged to a value sufiicient to actuate said counters until apredetermined interval of time has elapsed thereby insuring that a countwill not be registered if the loom stops immediately after starting.

'8. Loom stop counting circuitry, as in claim 1, where said capacitiveand actuating means are respectively encapsulated to facilitatemaintenance of said counting circuitry.

9. Apparatus for use with a textile machine which stops for a number ofdilferent causes for providing a plurality of counts, each said countreflecting the number of times which said machine has stopped for agiven one of said number of different causes comprising:

a capacitor;

means for charging said capacitor when said machine is not stopped;

a plurality of counters each recording one of said counts, eachelectrically connectible to said capacitor to cause a discharge of saidcapacitor and each responsive when connected to said capacitor to thedischarge of said capacitor to register a count of a machine stop for agiven cause;

counter actuating means associated with said plurality of counters andresponsive to said number of causes of stoppage for causing the counterrecording the count reflecting the particular cause of stoppage to whichsaid actuating means is responsive to be connected to said capacitor sothat said capacitor is discharged to cause said counter recording thecount reflecting the particular cause to register a count, and isthereby prevented from causing another of said counters from registeringa count until said machine has been restarted and said capacitorrecharged.

10. Apparatus as in claim 9 wherein said different causes include warpstops, filling stops and mechanical stops and means for delaying theconnection of said capacitor to the counter recording the countreflecting the number of times which a warp stop has occurred.

11. Apparatus as in claim 10 wherein said actuating means includesswitch means having an open and closed position and connecting thecounter recording the count reflecting the number of mechanical stops tosaid capacitor, said switch means being in the open position while saidmachine is running and in the closed position while said machine is notrunning so that said capacitor, if charged, is discharged to cause saidcounter recording the count reflecting the number mechanical stops toregister a count after said machine stops.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,234,619 3/1941 Bishop 1 39--3363,124,316 3/1964 OBrien et a1. 3,322,937 5/1967 OBrien. 3,319,253 5/1967Long 346-34 MAYNARD -R. WILBUR, Primary Examiner.

GREGORY J. MAIER, Assistant Examiner.

